Powdered Sugar: Creates a silky, smooth glaze with a delicate sweetness.
Tools to Bake Key Lime Mini Loaf Cakes
Electric mixer: Essential for creaming butter, beating eggs, and mixing batter smoothly.
Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients and creating cake mixture.
Mini loaf pan: Crucial for shaping and baking individual small cakes.
Whisk: Great for blending dry ingredients and ensuring even distribution.
Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient measurements.
Zester or grater: Helps extract key lime zest for intense citrus flavor.
Toothpick: Useful for checking cake doneness.
Wire cooling rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
Small mixing bowl: Handy for preparing the glaze.
Spatula: Helps scrape batter and spread glaze evenly.
Making Key Lime Mini Loaf Cakes: Step-by-Step
Oven Preparation Warm up your oven and get your mini loaf pan ready with a light coating of grease.
Butter and Sugar Blend Together softened butter and sugar until they become a fluffy cloud of deliciousness.
Wet Ingredients Mixture Gently fold in eggs, one by one, then splash in some zesty key lime juice and fragrant zest.
Dry Ingredients Combine flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl, then carefully mix with the wet ingredients, alternating with milk.
Baking Magic Pour the silky batter into mini loaf pans and let the oven work its magic for about 25 minutes.
Cooling Time Allow the little cakes to rest in the pan for a short while, then transfer to a cooling rack.
Glaze Creation Whip up a tangy glaze by mixing powdered sugar with key lime juice and zest, adjusting the consistency to your liking.
Final Touch Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cakes and garnish with a fresh key lime slice for a pop of color and flavor.
Tips to Customize Key Lime Mini Loaf Cakes
Wrap cooled loaves in plastic wrap to keep them extra tender and prevent drying out for 2-3 days at room temperature.
Swap key lime juice with lemon or orange juice for unique flavor variations that match different seasonal preferences.
Prepare batter and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning for convenient and stress-free breakfast treats.
Store unglazed mini loaves in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, thawing at room temperature and glazing just before serving for maximum freshness.
Fold in toasted coconut flakes or finely chopped macadamia nuts into the batter for an unexpected crunch and tropical twist that elevates the classic recipe.
How to Serve Key Lime Mini Loaf Cakes Right
Tropical Brunch Companion: Pair these zesty mini loaves with a fresh fruit platter featuring pineapple, mango, and coconut slices for a vibrant morning spread.
Afternoon Tea Elegance: Serve these delightful cakes alongside chamomile or green tea, creating a sophisticated light dessert perfect for catching up with friends.
Dessert Bar Star: Arrange the mini loaves on a decorative platter with small dollops of whipped cream and extra key lime zest, making them a stunning centerpiece for dessert tables at gatherings.
Summer Picnic Treat: Pack these portable cakes in individual containers for a refreshing outdoor snack that brings a burst of citrusy flavor to beach trips or park outings.
Storage for Key Lime Mini Loaf Cakes
Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep glazed mini loaves in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture.
Counter Charm: Unglazed cakes stay fresh at room temperature for 2-3 days when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or stored in a sealed container, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
Freezer Love: Wrap each mini loaf individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the batter or baked cakes a day in advance. Store unbaked batter in the refrigerator for 24 hours or keep fully baked (unglazed) cakes sealed until ready to finish and serve, ensuring maximum freshness and convenience.
Key lime mini loaf cakes showcase tropical Florida citrus in a delightful dessert. Tangy cream cheese frosting and zesty lime glaze complete these miniature treats you’ll want to savor with afternoon tea.
Ingredients
Scale
2 eggs
1.5 cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
1 cup (200 g) sugar
0.5 cup (115 g) butter, softened
0.5 cup (120 ml) milk
2 tbsps key lime juice
1 tbsp key lime zest
1 tsp baking powder
0.125 tsp salt
0.75 cup (90 g) powdered sugar
4–5 tbsps key lime juice
2 tbsps key lime zest
Instructions
Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously coat mini loaf pan with non-stick spray or butter to ensure easy cake release.
Creaming Process: Whip softened butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy consistency, creating a smooth foundational base for the mini loaves.
Egg Integration: Incorporate eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, thoroughly blending after each addition to maintain a silky, homogeneous texture.
Citrus Infusion: Fold key lime juice and zest into the wet ingredients, distributing the vibrant, tangy flavors throughout the batter.
Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even ingredient distribution.
Batter Composition: Gently fold flour mixture into butter mixture, alternating with milk to create a velvety, well-incorporated batter with a consistent texture.
Pan Filling and Baking: Evenly distribute batter into mini loaf pan cavities, smoothing the surface, and bake for 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Removal: Allow cakes to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring structural integrity.
Glaze Creation: Whisk powdered sugar with key lime juice and zest, adjusting liquid to achieve the perfect drizzling consistency for a tangy finishing touch.
Final Presentation: Drizzle cooled loaves with key lime glaze and optionally garnish with a delicate key lime slice for an elegant, flavor-enhanced finale.
Notes
Zest Precision: Grate key lime zest carefully to maximize citrus flavor without including bitter white pith.
Ingredient Temperature: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother batter and more consistent mixing.
Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent tough, dense cakes by keeping the batter light and airy.
Glaze Consistency: Adjust powdered sugar and lime juice gradually to create a smooth, pourable glaze that drizzles perfectly over cooled cakes.
Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.
Sophie Martin
Co-Founder & Content Creator
Expertise
Education
Stellenbosch University, South Africa
South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town
Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.
Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.